Chapter 188 Theda's Promise
The prison in Barkaley County, fortunately, didn\'t have any high-profile criminals. Most were just people who broke the fifth and fourth tier of the criminal code, such as thieves and troublemakers. Some of them have violated the third tier were rapists and murderers. Because of this, Theda was forced to order all the soldiers to search for the escaped prisoners and lock them back into their cells.
Reportedly, the explosion opened only five to six cell doors. The rest were opened manually by the criminals to free everyone.
"It seems like everything you said now makes sense, Master Rodion."
"I had hoped that it was really just imagination."
\'This old grandfather has a way of thinking that doesn\'t suit him. As if he was already experienced in this field, perhaps he used to be a former knight or something?\'
"For now, you two could go back home and meet me back tomorrow."
"About that prison, do you mind if I help? I heard there\'s a murderer among them," Allen asked.
"No way! I don\'t know what kind of ability you\'re hiding, but you\'re the one who\'s needed now! What happens if you get killed!"
"..." Rodion held Allen\'s hand, then shook his head.
"In that case, sorry."
"We\'ll leave now."
On the way back, Rodion explained to Allen that he didn\'t need to help the soldier do his job. He was just a kid who happened to have great strength.
"If you participate in capturing the prisoners, you will return to your old self later."
"What does that mean?"
"You don\'t need to understand."
The old Allen, meaning a murderer. Rodion had been instilling in Allen the things that made him an ordinary boy. If possible, he wanted Allen to utilize his abilities only to help others without committing violence.
"Children only need to follow adults; you should rely on them as long as they are around. Don\'t think of solving your own problems," Rodion said.
"W-well... okay," Allen just replied without understanding what he meant. For now he kept Rodion\'s words.
...
The next day, she returned to Theda\'s room.
As soon as they entered, Theda already looked exhausted. She was only wearing casual clothes while laying her head down on her comfortable couch.
"With this, the food supply for the next three days has been used up for the search. There are 20 prisoners in all; five dangerous ones have been captured, while the rest we\'ll just give up. If what Rodion said is true, we can\'t afford to spend more manpower and food."
"About the food, you don\'t have to worry," Allen said.
"Hmm? Is your food supply really that much? I thought three days of searching would make the food you gave us insufficiently."
Allen looked at Rodion, and Rodion nodded, indicating that he agreed to whatever Allen was going to do.
"From now on, I want you to promise not to tell anyone about Allen\'s ability," Rodion said.
"Will that ability solve all the problems we receive?"
"That\'s right."
"Then I\'ll take an oath. In the name of God, the ancestors of the Willons, and my mother Helme. I will not divulge anything about this boy."
Rodion glanced at Branwhait, and then Theda said, "Branwhait, did you hear that? Leave this room immediately."
"But Lady, I can\'t leave you alone with them!"
"Branwhait, is that a criticism of the nobility?"
With fear and displeasure, Branwhait put his hand on his chest and said, "No Lady, forgive me. May God bless the Barkaley family," and he left the room.
"Thank you very much, Lady. I\'m sorry, I just didn\'t believe in that man." Rodion said.
"Watch what you say; he is our trusted man. Don\'t be too quick to thank me. I only swore not to spread Allen\'s abilities, that doesn\'t mean I still don\'t have the right to kill and imprison you. Your actions have already violated a lot of harassment against the nobility."
The atmosphere became tense; realizing that she was the one who made the atmosphere become like that, Theda said, "Aah forgive my bad behavior. I\'ve been trying my best to earn your trust. I\'m just desperate with everything that suddenly happened to me."
"Make sure you come to our tavern; Allen will make you a delicious soup that can ease your shoulders."
"I\'ll look forward to it."
After that, Rodion asked Allen to show Theda his skills.
Reig tied himself to Allen\'s right hand.
"God blessing..." muttered Allen.
An apple magically came out of his right hand.
"T-this apple is?! It just came out of your hand?!" cried Theda, shocked.
"It didn\'t come out of nowhere. This black scarf is my ability. I can double whatever this scarf absorbs. I can take out as much as I want as long as I have mana."
"A-amazing! This is really amazing! With your ability, we can solve the famine and all the problems happening now! Amazing!"
Allen gave the apple to Theda and asked her to try it,
"I see... I finally understand. The reason the potatoes and mushrooms tasted bland.
Your ability can double anything, but it reduces the value of the original thing that was absorbed. That\'s why it tastes bland, and that is also why it is not very filling.
But as long as it can solve hunger, it doesn\'t matter.
If I ask you to take out potatoes, how many can you create in one day?"
"About 100 sacks, or you could say 300 kg of potatoes."
"That\'s a lot! You must have a lot of mana. Oh you\'re an other-worlder; that must be why!"
Rodion then explained his plan, "Actually we wanted to give this away for free, so that all the people and soldiers could eat this food. But that would only raise suspicion, from the people, from the soldiers, and also from the enemy."
"I understand, I will buy the potatoes at the right price."
There were three lies they told Theda.
First, making potatoes was not Allen\'s god\'s blessing, but Reig\'s. Rodion asked Allen to hide it as if it was his god\'s blessing.
Second, the limit of potatoes Allen could create exceeded 300kg. Rodion deliberately made Theda believe it because he didn\'t want Theda to exploit Allen\'s ability.
The big reason why Rodion asked Allen to lie was because there was still a possibility that the enemy was also in the Barkaley residence.